On November 6, 2024, Morocco celebrates the 49th anniversary of the Green March, a founding event which marked national history and consolidated the unity of the Kingdom around the issue of the Moroccan Sahara. This popular mobilization, initiated in 1975 under the leadership of King Hassan II, symbolized Morocco’s peaceful desire to recover its southern territories. Nearly five decades later, the Green March remains a symbol of national identity and a source of inspiration for future generations.
On November 6, 2024, Morocco celebrates the 49th anniversary of the Green March, a major event in national history, having had a profound impact on the society and politics of the Kingdom. In 1975, under the leadership of King Hassan II, more than 350,000 Moroccans marched peacefully towards the Moroccan Sahara, displaying the national flag and brandishing the Koran, symbolizing a legitimate and peaceful demand for the recovery of this territory. This historic act, which mobilized women, men, young people and elderly people from all regions of Morocco, demonstrated national unity in the face of a crucial territorial issue. Since then, the Green March has not only consolidated the territorial integrity of the country but has become a pillar of Moroccan national identity, anchored in collective memory and commemorated every year as a symbol of unity and solidarity.
the question of the Moroccan Sahara remains at the heart of the Kingdom’s politics and diplomacy
Even today, the question of the Moroccan Sahara remains at the heart of the Kingdom’s politics and diplomacy. “This territory represents the cornerstone of Moroccan sovereignty, a constant priority on the international stage”affirms the secretary general of the Moroccan Research Center for Globalization “NejMaroc”, Yassine El Yattioui. In 2024, he continues, “Nearly fifty years after this act of popular courage, Morocco has made the recognition of the Moroccan character of the Sahara a major diplomatic objective, making considerable progress. The Moroccan diplomatic strategy gained in scale and credibility under the reign of King Mohammed VI, allowing it to garner increasingly broad support from the international community. This support is particularly notable among world powers, starting with France, Morocco’s historic ally, which has increasingly explicitly affirmed its position in favor of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara..
And to emphasize that “Moroccan diplomacy relied on an intense campaign of engagement and partnerships, leading to the recognition of the Moroccanness of the Sahara by influential countries, such as Spain, Germany and the United States”. In 2020, “under the administration of President Donald Trump, the United States took a decisive step by officially recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara, a gesture that strengthened the legitimacy of the Moroccan position on the international stage. This decision, supported since then by the administration of President Biden, opened the way to a dynamic of increased recognition, facilitating progressive adherence to this cause in many other countries. France, too, provided its support by actively supporting the Moroccan proposal for autonomy, considered by many as a credible, serious and lasting solution to this regional issue.recalls Mr. El Yattioui.
At the same time, adds the SG of NejMaroc, “Spain took an unambiguous position in 2022 by joining the Moroccan position, marking a major turning point in diplomacy between the two countries. Germany, a leading European economic power, also joined this recognition, thus consolidating the Moroccan position in Europe and demonstrating the effectiveness of Moroccan diplomacy..
Morocco has also established itself as a central player in the Arab world and Africa. “Many African and Arabian Peninsula countries have aligned themselves with the Moroccan position, illustrating unprecedented support on the African continent. This mobilization of “brotherly” countries notably resulted in the opening of more than 28 foreign consulates in Dakhla and Laâyoune, symbolizing a concrete recognition of Moroccan sovereignty..
The Moroccan diplomatic offensive has strengthened its leadership role in Africa
The Moroccan diplomatic offensive has not only consolidated the country’s position in the region, but it has also helped to strengthen its leadership role in Africa. In 2017, “Morocco’s return to the African Union marked a crucial step, allowing the Kingdom to directly defend its interests within this pan-African organization. This reintegration was welcomed by many African states who support the Moroccan autonomy proposal as a realistic and pragmatic solution for the Sahara.indique El Yattioui.
Increased cooperation between Morocco and African countries “results in economic partnerships and regional development initiatives, which strengthen Morocco’s influence and leadership in Africa. The kingdom is now considered a model for development, particularly thanks to its massive investments in the infrastructure, energy and agriculture sectors.says the analyst.
The figures highlight the scope of investments made by Morocco in its Sahara
The figures underline the scale of investments made by Morocco in the Moroccan Sahara. Since 2015, “an economic development plan of nearly 77 billion dirhams has been launched to transform the southern provinces, including projects in the sectors of education, health, industry, and transport infrastructure. The construction of the port of Dakhla Atlantique, for example, is a flagship project which aims to make this city an economic crossroads linking Morocco to West African markets. These investments have a dual objective: to strengthen the integration of the Saharan provinces into the national economy and improve the living conditions of the inhabitants, while illustrating Morocco’s commitment to the development of the Moroccan Sahara.specify the SG of NejMaroc.
El Yattioui also notes that in matters of defense, “Morocco has been able to develop a strategic capacity to secure its borders and guarantee the stability of its southern provinces, in particular by collaborating with its international partners to face security threats in the Sahelo-Saharan region. Military cooperation with the United States and France, among others, has strengthened Moroccan defense capabilities, thus ensuring the protection of its territories. This cooperation is essential in the context of regional security challenges, particularly in the face of the risks of terrorism and trafficking from the Sahel.”.
The anniversary of the Green March, celebrated each year with fervor, also embodies the values of peace and dialogue dear to the Moroccan people. “The Kingdom has always favored a peaceful and constructive approach to resolve the question of the Moroccan Sahara. In 2007, Morocco proposed an autonomy initiative under Moroccan sovereignty, which received considerable international support, being seen as a credible and lasting solution. Today, this proposal is widely seen as the only viable option to resolve this conflict peacefully and end a status quo situation..
And to conclude that “the commemoration of the Green March in 2024 is therefore an opportunity to celebrate the significant diplomatic progress made by Morocco, while recalling the importance of this issue for the national unity and territorial integrity of the country. The Kingdom, by demonstrating proactive and resolute diplomacy, has been able to rally a growing number of countries around the world to its cause. This international recognition of the Moroccan nature of the Sahara is the result of a rigorous diplomatic strategy and a clear vision carried by King Mohammed VI. The year 2024 thus testifies to a confident, unified and respected Morocco, which continues its development while asserting its sovereignty”.
